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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Please help me welcome the talented Angie Fox. She is celebrating the launch of her latest book, The Tale of Two Demon Slayers.

1. For any new readers, could you tell us about your Demon Slayer series?
AF: Of course. The Accidental Demon Slayer books are funny paranormal romances about a straight-laced preschool teacher who runs smack dab into her fate when a demon shows up on her toilet bowl. Turns out, that’s just the beginning. Soon her hyperactive terrier starts talking, and her long-lost biker witch Grandma is hurling Smuckers jars filled with magic. And just when she thinks she’s seen it all, Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer—and all hell is after her.

Of course, that’s not the only thing after her. Dimitri Kallinikos, a devastatingly handsome shape-shifting griffin needs Lizzie to slay a demon of his own. But how do you talk a girl you’ve never met into going straight to the underworld? Lie. And let’s just say he tries a little bit of seduction too.

2. Lizzie is an incredible kick-butt heroine with some equally kick-butt friends. What came first, the plot or the characters?
AF: That’s a good question. I had ideas for the characters and the plot and then let them feed each other. I usually know where a book is going, but I always leave room for the fun, because I figure that if a plot twist or character amuses me, my readers will probably have a good time with it too.

For example, when I sat down to write The Accidental Demon Slayer, I had no notes about a sidekick for my heroine. But in the second chapter, when Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer and there are some very scary, very angry creatures on her tail, she takes comfort in her dog. As I was writing, I thought, ‘This is a sweet moment. Now how do I throw her off?’

I made the dog say something to her. Nothing big. After all, he’s only after the fettuccine from last week. And he knows exactly where Lizzie can find it (back of the fridge, to the left of the lettuce crisper, behind the mustard). It tickled me, so I did it. Thanks to her unholy powers, Lizzie can now understand her smart-mouthed Jack Russell Terrier. I ended up having a ball with it. Pirate can say and do things that my heroine can’t. He’s such a kick to write.

3. What sort of adventures is Lizzie in store for in the third book, A Tale of Two Demon Slayers?
AF: Lots, actually. A Tale of Two Demon Slayers takes place in Greece and we learn all about griffon mythology and Lizzie’s true purpose as a demon slayer. It was a blast to write.

And let me also add say that you can pick up A Tale of Two Demon Slayers and know exactly what’s going on. I do that because it drives me crazy as a reader when I pick up a great sounding book and get all excited. And I’ve got the book home and I have my blanket and my drink and I’m all set to read and lo-and-behold, it’s book seven in a series and I have no idea what’s going on. It’s so disappointing. So I decided when I first became an author that I’d never do that. Each of my books is a complete story. Reading the series lets you hang out with the characters more and watch them grow, but investing in the entire series is not necessary to enjoy one of my books.

But back to A Tale of Two Demon Slayers: I knew Pirate the dog was going to have fun in this latest book, but I didn’t know how. Well it turns out he finds a dragon egg. The thing hatches and he decides he has a pet. I mean, how fun for a pet – to own a pet. Lizzie is not happy about that. She has enough going on and doesn’t think her dog needs to own a pet.

So she tells Pirate to find a new home for Flappy the dragon (Pirate named him, not Lizzie). So Lizzie is battling evil people and losing track of what Pirate is doing. He keeps promising to find a new home for the dragon, but instead Pirate is hiding the dragon, and loving the dragon and teaching him tricks. Every time Lizzie realizes the dragon is still there, it’s gotten bigger and bigger and, well, it’s just one more thing she can’t quite control.

4. What are your plans for this series? Will the adventure continue?
AF: Yes, I just signed on to write books four and five of the series, which will be the final two books. I always envisioned this as a five-part series, and I can’t believe we’re getting to the end so quickly!

5. What exactly is "roadkill magic" and where can I get some?
AF: Well, the biker witches have their own brand of magic. When you’re on the run from a demon, you don’t have time to grow herbs and mull over just what you’d like to put in your next Lose Your Keys spell. So the witches have to improvise and use what they find along the way. It is practical magic at its most practical.

6. A magical (and sexy) genie grants you 3 wishes. What do you wish for?
AF: Sexy you say? Hm. Well then:
Can he stay?
Does he do foot rubs?
And, finally, let’s see if he can whip my house into shape. We’ve been in our house seven years and I don’t think it’s ever been exactly how I’d like it.

7. You stumble onto a time machine. Do you get in? If so, do you visit the past or the future and what would you take with you?
AF: Yes, I’d jump right in. I’d love to visit Regency England (I do read way too many Regency romances). But I’d be smart enough to take my toothbrush, deodorant and a Jane Austen book (just in case I can get an autograph).

8. Lastly, what is your favorite way to unwind after a hard day of writing? Any guilty pleasures?
AF: Reading! Seriously, I read way too much. Favorite authors include Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Julia Quinn and Malcom Gladwell.

Angie, thank you for taking time to interview with us. Congrats on the new book, I can't wait to see what happens to Lizzie.

CONTEST TIME...
Angie has graciously offered a lucky reader a chance to win their very own copy of A Tale of Two Demon Slayers. To enter, visit Angie's site and find out what SUPERNATURAL PET is right for you. Leave your name and your pet in the comments section. The contest will be open until February 12th.

If your email is not available on your profile, please leave it in the comments. If you are not comfortable leaving your email, you may send it to me at zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom. Good luck.

Hi all - thanks to Elie for having me here. And what is it with Nostra today? That cat gets around. There are other pets available for adoption, I promise. Although you may not want Flappy the dragon. He'll hog the bed and eat all of the laces out of your shoes.